[Indy @ S.E.]

Hello,

I bought a Canon HV20 a few weeks ago before my holiday and was just wondering if anyone knows if there is such a device that will let me play the HD MiniDV tapes I have without having to play them through the camcorder? I've heard that doing this regularly can only lead to problems with the camcorder itself.

Cheers,
Indy

[redsox_mark]

They do exist, but tend to be expensive, and only available from pro video suppliers. Take a look
http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...bcategoryID=89

If you want something for heavy use (daily use) then these may be worth it.... otherwise you could just replace your HV20 should it wear out.. .or get a second cam (maybe a HV10) to use as a deck.

[gritstone]

Surely it's better to get your video's onto a hard disk drive.
You can then display them using all sorts of ways:

Write to DVD
PC/Laptop
Archos (Series 5 605 wifi is great).
And my favorite: MviX MV-760HD.

Store the tapes as your primary backup.

[rhubarbe]

Aye, and hope to God that Knoppix can see 'em if your HDD goes belly-up.

Sorry, I missed the last line of your post.

[Indy @ S.E.]

thanks for the replies, guess the HV20 will be used then as the player!

[gritstone]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Aye, and hope to God that Knoppix can see 'em if your HDD goes belly-up.

At about £65 for a 500Meg external HDD anyone would be daft not to have at least one backup (i.e. two copies), plus the original tapes.

[rhubarbe]

Yes, as I said, I missed your last line. My requirement is to create an HDV backup copy of the footage shot in my HDC-SD7 (that produces AVCHD onto SDHC cards).

http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/publi...=sony_gvhd700e

Would be a tempter if the usual UK rip-off price was closer to the US price (online $1199), but an HV10 or HV20 would do service as a backup camcorder and as a source to an HDTV. Hark at me, HV20 as a backup camcorder to an SD7.